Alaska

Aug 15-17, 2014
UA1403 IAH-ORD, UA1152 ORD-FAI, UA1283 FAI-ORD, UA883 ORD-IAH

We had a great time in Alaska each time we visited and definitely wanted to get back.  Since we wanted to revisit Denali, we decided to fly to Fairbanks for a long weekend.  The flight in showed just how beautiful the area was, and although we didn't go deep into the National Park, we did have some good hikes and had luck in seeing both a grizzly bear and the elusive Mount McKinley.  Before heading home, we had a nice afternoon in Fairbanks and then took an overnight flight home.

Aug 15
Long day of flying and evening exploring downtown Fairbanks

Fountain in Golden Heart Plaza

Aug 16
Morning drive and day exploring Denali NP

Beautiful roadside stop on our way to the park

Looking out to the park from our hotel’s hill top balcony

Day hike along Savage River valley

Cloudy skies but pleasant weather for the hike

Looking back on the hike from the trail end

If the skies were more clear we’d have a much better view of the mountains

Perhaps a little too close to a roadside grizzly bear

Bear looking back on the gathering crowd before heading into the woods

End of a beautiful day in the park

Aug 17
Morning early drive into the park and back to Fairbanks

Our early morning rise had the payback of Mount McKinley

Beautiful 20,000 ft peak far in the distance with some blue skies

Amazing panoramic from the mountain vista trail

Railway bridge near the park entrance

Back in Fairbanks at University of Alaska Museum of the North

Aug 17
After dinner, overnight flights home